CISLAC’s Rafsanjani Challenges FG, Says U.S. Carried Out Airstrikes Without Nigeria’s Consent

The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Rafsanjani, has disputed the Federal Government’s claim that it approved recent United States airstrikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North-West, insisting that the operation was carried out without Nigeria’s knowledge or permission.

Rafsanjani made the assertion on Friday during an appearance on Arise Television, where he criticised the government’s response to the airstrikes, describing it as an effort to manage public perception rather than a firm defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty.

According to him, the United States acted unilaterally and did not seek any formal authorisation from Nigerian authorities before launching the strikes.

“The American government did not get any approval to take action in Nigeria. What the Nigerian government has done afterwards is simply face-saving,” Rafsanjani said.

He argued that the public announcement of the operation by former U.S. President Donald Trump further underscored the claim that Nigeria’s consent was not required.

“America does not need Nigeria’s approval to carry out its actions. This is evident in the way and manner in which Trump announced the airstrikes,” he added.

Rafsanjani linked the development to what he described as Nigeria’s weak foreign policy posture and its inability to clearly articulate and defend its sovereignty in international engagements.

“This incident points to a failure of the state in its constitutional obligation. The country is failing in its mandate,” he said.

He maintained that the persistent failure of the government to protect lives and property has diminished Nigeria’s leverage in dealing with foreign powers.

“The mandate to protect lives and property has been compromised. We likely have an outdated foreign policy document that does not allow us to communicate effectively,” Rafsanjani said.

The CISLAC executive director also warned against portraying Nigeria’s security crisis as a religious conflict, saying such narratives are misleading and dangerous.

“This attack has promoted the idea that Nigeria is in a religious war between Muslims and Christians, which is not true and is very dangerous,” he said.

He stressed that terrorism affects Nigerians across religious and geographical lines.

“We have terrorists attacking Nigerians irrespective of their religion or geographical location,” Rafsanjani added.

Rafsanjani called on the Federal Government to urgently review its security and foreign policy frameworks to strengthen national sovereignty, improve international engagement and rebuild public trust.

His comments contrast sharply with the position of the Federal Government.

Earlier on Friday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, said President Bola Tinubu approved the U.S. airstrikes and rejected claims that the operation violated Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Tuggar spoke hours after the U.S. Department of War and former President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out strikes on terrorist targets in the North-West.

According to the minister, the operation was conducted with Nigeria’s full knowledge and consent following consultations at the highest levels.

He said President Tinubu personally authorised the airstrikes as part of joint efforts to combat terrorism and protect lives and property.

“Now that the U.S. is cooperating, we would do it jointly, and we would ensure that it is clearly stated that this is a joint operation,” Tuggar said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

Tuggar stressed that the strikes were not directed at any religious group, noting that Nigeria remains a multi-religious country.

“We are working with partners like the U.S. to fight terrorism and safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians,” he said.

The airstrikes have triggered public debate, with critics questioning their implications for Nigeria’s sovereignty.

However, the Foreign Affairs Minister insisted that the Federal Government would not approve any military action that undermines Nigeria’s independence or territorial integrity, adding that the strikes were carried out within the framework of international cooperation.

The controversy comes amid persistent insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West, where armed groups continue to attack communities, security personnel and critical infrastructure.